Do you know that…?

 The first subway line (3.6 km) was built and launched in London January 10, 1863. The construction was made ​​by the company «Metropolitan Railways».  Initially, the first line of London underground was steam-power operated, and only  in 1890 it was replaced by electricity.

Commemorating Vladimir Vysotsky

25.01. - the 75th birthday of Vladimir Vysotsky

Vladimir Vysotsky was born in Moscow on January 25, 1938. In 1955, he enrolled at the Moscow Institute of Civil Engineering, but dropped out in order to attend the Moscow Art Theatre School. In the early 1960s, he recorded his first songs, which would later be heard through every window in the Soviet Union. In 1964, Vysotsky joined the Taganka Theatre, and he remained with the company until his death. He went on to star in a number of cult television shows and films, including “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed” and “Little Tragedies.” Vysotsky died in his sleep on July 25, 1980, presumably of a heart attack.

See more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3S2wHcCpGs

Read more: http://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/russian/2011/11/29/vladimir-vysotsky/

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK

It doesn`t matter where you go and what you study, what mattes most is what you share with yourself and the world.

Santosh Kalwar

Christmas Wishes

- Happiness, Prosperity and Success!
- May All Your Dreams Come True!

- From My Home To Yours.

- Warmest Wishes For Christmas!

- Bright and  Joyful Christmas!

- May you have an ocean of happiness!

- Better than any New Year has been and will be, Better than any joy known or to be known, Better than any wish realised or to be realised-that's how, this New Year should be for you. Have a great new year.
- May the New Year brings new hopes, new promises and new reasons to celebrate your presence in your lives.

Have a Joyous New Year! 
- Here is a wishing that the coming year is a glorious one that rewards all your future endeavors with success. 

- New Year is a time for celebration of love, of life, of Friendship. It's the time to thank God for wonderful friends, and to bring to their lives as much magic as they bring to ours... So here's celebrating our Friendship and praying that its magic continues forever. Happy New Year!

- May this New Year adorn your life with many beautiful things and sweet memories to cherish forever. And care of those whom the heart holds close, along with abundant joys and happiness, for you and your family. Wishing you life's best this New Year. 

Go to:
http://audio-class.ru/mailing/english/2010.html,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15772491

CHRISTMAS IN BELARUS

Winter holiday season is the favorite time for many people and is celebrated across the globe by Christians, people of different denominations and non-believers. In some countries, it has a definite religious coloring due to Christmas celebration, in others, like in Belarus and some other CIS countries, the major event is the New Year. We used to celebrate it with Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), who recently have been partially replaced by Santa Claus. However, Belarus has distinctive historic folk Christmas traditions of its own, which now, unfortunately, can be observed mainly in the museums. It's sad, isn't it? Just imagine: you come to a different country in hope to see something new, and you see the same Santa and hear the same "We wish you a Merry Christmas". There is nothing wrong with this but for the inadequate scope it has taken. Why should we restrict our choices only to commercial offer? Isn't there something else, more authentic, in this world? Reviving folk traditions of Christmas and New Year celebration of different nations will help people unite in celebration of these major holidays without losing their national identity, offer more choice and ability to explore the cultural diversity of your common planet. One of the places, where you can join in the traditional folk Christmas celebration is the Belarusian State Folk Architecture and Lifestyle Museum in Strochitsa / Strochica  http://etna.by

CHRISTMAS IN BRITAIN

Мost people recognise that the traditional Christmas tree was first started in England in the mid 1800's when the German husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, introduced the German tradition of having a tree as a central point of the home into the British homes.  Up to that point whilst Christmas had been celebrated for hundred of years we did not have the tree and lavish decorations which we see today.  It was Prince Albert who was almost singlehanded responsible for bringing us the festivities we see in England today. Today, in the 21st century, things have changed a little.  Whilst the centre of the celebration of Christmas started out as mainly based around the church and it's ceremonies and festivals, it has now moved away from the church as religion no longer has the same pull or influence as it had in those days, but underlying all is still the celebration of the Christian tradition. Today some of the old traditions I was brought up with 60 years ago are still in evidence.  It fills my heart with pleasure to see my five and ten year old grand children being taught the same stories and traditions by my daughter and son in law.  To see the expectation on the face of my five year old grandson when his mother talks to him of Christmas and watch the secret grin on the face of his ten year old sister when their mother gets to the part about the tradition of Father Christmas.  As a child I, and now my grandchildren, were told the same story about Father Christmas flying on a sledge pulled by reindeer from the frozen parts of Lapland to deliver presents to every child on Christmas Eve.  BUT! Deliveries would only be made to children who had been good throughout the year!  In the build up the big day it was remarkable to see the frequent improvement in behaviour when children were reminded of this fact.  Children were encouraged to create a written list of presents they wanted and to post this list up the chimney for Father Christmas in the weeks before his late night arrival.  I can remember many Christmas Eves in my childhood kneeling up in bed to look out of the window behind my bed to see if I could see a sledge racing across the black winter night.  Kneeling there, tired, becoming increasing more cold as time went on I would eventually snuggle down under the bed clothes and try my hardest to keep awake to try and catch Father Christmas delivering my presents.  Of course, it was impossible and I never did catch sight of a large man with a red coat and a big white beard slipping small toys and fruit into the stocking on the foot of my bed.  However, quite often I would wake whilst it was still very dark and as I moved my feet around in bed feeling for the heavy weight of the stocking.  Then the electric joy of realising that he had been, the stocking had been filled and there were toys just waiting for my discovery at the foot of my bed.  There was always a Tangerine and an Apple together with a handful of nuts in the toe of the stocking then the strange unknowable shapes of toys making strange shapes to run my fingers over.

During the morning we would sit around the coal fire and open our presents whilst trying to make a pretence of eating breakfast.  During the latter part of the morning friends and relations would arrive and be offered a glass of sherry and a mince pie.  By this time us kids were now looking forward to the tradition of Christmas Dinner.  I suppose this is one meal which has not changed in any real way.  Maybe we have added things, but the essentials are still there, still constant.  Turkey, roast potatoes, Brussle Sprouts, stuffing, carrots, followed by Christmas Pudding.
There would then be a temptation to sit and relax in front of the fire, and possibly fall asleep!  A full stomach, early morning and a roaring fire were often guaranteed to knock out any child.Now, it takes a glass or two of wine or bandy.  But some things do not change.

Compare the traditions of Christmas celebrating. How do you celebrate this holiday in your family?

The first Sherlock Holmes story

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125 years ago Arthur Conan Doyle published his first story about Sherlock Holmes  “A Study in Scarlet”. It took him three weeks to write this novel but made him popular all over the world.

You may read it here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/244/244-h/244-h.htm

or watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCQk5Gk-dp0

What other stories about Sherlock Holmes do you like?

December, 1 - World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day on 1 December brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high prevalence countries and around the world.
Are you ready to take part in such actions?